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Lone Shark Games is an exceptional collective of some of the best and brightest in the gaming and entertainment industries.
We exist to bring innovation and playtime into your corporate events, and to advance the science of stellar game design. From event design and production, to game development and consultation, our experience maneuvering these oceans is vast, and we’ve pooled our talents to deliver inspired, unique and FUN solutions to your needs.
Like our fierce and efficient namesake, Lone Shark Games, Inc. is a force to be reckoned with. We are imaginative, we are fast, we are fearless, we are adaptable, we are a shark…and there’s only one of us.
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Games
The design team at Lone Shark Games, Inc. is an award-winning, go-to source for game design, with the ability to create games on demand, or to consult on your design projects. We can start from scratch and develop a game just for you, or we can help your game reach its full creative and financial potential. We can help you understand the process of making a compelling game in the hobby market by consulting on your business plan. We do this fast, and then get out – we are a shark after all, swift and precise.
Lone Shark Games also has an arsenal of original, available designs for qualified game publishers. To check the games on our front burner, contact <<Mike Selinker>> for access to the secure portion of our site.
Click on any game below to see some of our published designs:
Pirates of the Spanish Main Link 26 Harrow Stonehenge
Unspeakable Words Verticon Cowpoker Gloria Mundi
On the Spot Games Fightball Dust & Sin Dungeonville
American Idol CCG Veritas Key Largo Game Revisions
Pirates of the Spanish Main
WizKids LLC, 2004
WizKids introduced a new category of games, the “Constructible Strategy Game,” with Pirates of the Spanish Main, a polystyrene pirate ship game for 2 or more players. The game is sold in booster packs which contain two complete ships, an island, another card (perhaps crew or treasure) and a 6-sided die. Two boosters is just enough for a small 2-player game, but the game is infinitely expandable with all the detail and complexity of a CCG, plus the fun of building some pretty cute little pirate ships. The game has spawned boatloads of expansions and continues to sell like mad
Unspeakable Words
Playroom Entertainment, 2007
The long-awaited fusion of word-making and insanity comes to life in this Call of Cthulhu word game. As you make words, letters with angles are more dangerous (and valuable) than those without angles. Make a word that’s too angular, and you could lose your sanity. Comes with 30 sweet Cthulhu pawns.
Letter Hold ’Em, Kotsuku, Zero In
On the Spot Games, 2006
On the Spot Games is publishing these three tin-box games as part of its new line of games available from both retailers and restaurants. Each takes two popular hobbies and combines them. Letter Hold ’Em is a word game for poker players. Kotsuku is a word game for sudoku lovers. And Zero In is a trivia game for roleplaying fans.
American Idol CCG
Fleer / Skybox Inc., 2004
Based on the third season of the popular American Idol television show, this stand-alone card game features singers, songs, judges, and special effects from the show. The object of the game is to get as many of your own contestants as you can into the finals, then survive the finals as the audience votes the worst acts off the stage. Playable by a wide range of players, this game is lightweight and skill-based, and was a bit hit among the staff at Fleer.
Link 26
MindWare, 2008
We took the classic word game Geography—the one where the first letter of your word must be the last letter of the last word played—and brought it into the modern era. Now, your letter tiles are disappearing quickly off the table, so you need to quickly identify an athlete whose name begins with D and ends with X, J, or Q. (“Doctor J”?)
Verticon
Wild Planet Toys, 2006
You’ve never seen anything like this, we expect. Take some ping-pong ball sized creatures, load them up with pointy weaponry, and build an army based on their stats and special abilities. Then drop them into the airstream and watch them fight in the sky. Designed with Bob Brattesani of the Wild Planet staff.
Fightball
James Ernest / Cheapass Games, 2002
Fightball was the first major collaboration between Mike Selinker and James Ernest. Originally conceived as a CCG, the game was reformatted as a modular real-time card game and released by James Ernest Games. The game features six decks of imaginary sports teams in a whimsical future sport called Fightball. Players play their team, balls, shots, and special effects, in a no-turns format. Each lightning-fast round lasts less than a minute. Scoring takes another three, and a full game (four quarters) lasts less than 20 minutes.
Veritas
Rio Grande Games, 2008
Veritas is a Euro-style board game about the preservation of truth in Dark Ages France. Each player represents some “truth,” trying to be preserved for posterity by diligent book-copying monks. Players place and copy book tokens in monasteries, and then pick up stacks of their own and other players’ books and spread them around France. Each turn, a monastery will burn down and the books in it may be destroyed. After the monasteries burn down, players can move through them, so travel on the board gets faster as the game progresses. When scoring chips are drawn, each player whose ideology dominates a region scores points. The first player to score 100 points wins, and becomes the dominant truth as the Dark Ages end.
Harrow
Paizo Publishing, 2008
Harrow is a tarot-like deck usable with any roleplaying campaign. It uses a unique divination mechanic based on the standard abilities and alignments. This mysterious card deck is also playable as a cutthroat gambling game called Towers, co-designed with Paizo’s Jason Bulmahn. An elegant fusion of card games and roleplaying games.
Cowpoker
Steve Jackson Games/Pegasus Spiele, 2006
Cow Poker is a game for 2 to 4 players, though it always has four ranches, the remainder of which are “deadwood,” or automatic players. Each player (live or deadwood) controls a ranch in a humorous cow town, and only cards from your own ranch have any effect for you. The game consists of a series of card plays in which players try to accumulate the most points and form the best poker hands by playing valuable cards, making good choices, and winning tricks called “Gunfights” and “Roundups.”
Dust & Sin
Titanic Games, 2008
If Las Vegas did not exist, we would have to invent it. Dust & Sin is a board game for 2-6 players about building Las Vegas. The game features plastic casinos and several dozen dice representing players’ ownership and power in the casinos they build. On your turn, you can gain property, build casinos, jockey for power, and earn cash and points. A highly strategic and colorful board game.
Key Largo
Tilsit Editions, 2005/Titanic Games, 2008
Key Largo was the last game designed by the late designer Paul Randles, and was brought to the public through the efforts of Lone Shark and designer Bruno Faidutti. It’s 1899, and a hurricane is bearing down on the peaceful isle of Key Largo. Your salvage company wants to pluck all the treasures from nearby shipwrecks before it’s too late.
Stonehenge
Titanic Games, 2007
Stonehenge is an “anthology” board game, the first of its kind, featuring five unique game designs that use the same set of components. Stonehenge features five games by Richard Borg, James Ernest, Bruno Faidutti, Richard Garfield, and Mike Selinker, all set in the mysterious world of Stonehenge. 2008’s first expansion, Nocturne, features new games by Klaus-Jurgen Wrede, Andy Looney, Bruno Cathala and Serge Laget.
Gloria Mundi
Rio Grande Games, 200
Gloria Mundi is a board game for 2-6 players set during the fall of Rome. You’re a Roman statesman struggling to survive in this era of cultural decline and political chaos. And this basically means running as far from Rome as you can. When the Visigoth reaches Rome, or a player who has fled the furthest from Rome wins.
Dungeonville
Z-Man Games/Pegasus Spiele, 2006
Dungeonville is a dungeoneering card game for 2 to 5 players. The players take the roles of powerful mad wizards who own the five dungeons surrounding the town of Dungeonville. You recruit parties of adventurers and send them into the dungeons, earning points by defeating other characters in combat and by killing other parties in your own dungeon. The life expectancy of the adventurers is measured in minutes, and gold only gets used for hiring more saps to die on your behalf.
Game revisions
Various companies
One of Lone Shark’s specialties is bringing new life to already published or undeveloped games. We revise and rebalance rules, spice up art, and bring out new editions. Some of our projects include Titanic’s color edition of the Cheapass classic Kill Doctor Lucky; developing the 2nd edition and expansions for Playroom’s wacky Sitting Ducks Gallery; and re-envisioning the hit wargame Attack!’s Deluxe Edition, originally by Eagle Games.
Event Design and Production
Not all games come in a box, and Lone Shark is pioneering out-of-the-box, interactive events that not only effectively and creatively meet your strategic objectives, but will make sure your guests have an unforgettable experience.
Your company’s event, launch party or meet ‘n’ greet takes on a new face when you give your guests the opportunity to play and cooperatively immerse themselves in activities that are not only fun but delivering your key messages and strategic objectives. Custom-designed for your needs, we offer a humanized experience for your guests to have fun as spies or alien hunters, to play with cool devices like voice transformers and invisible ink, or to take on some puzzle-solving brain work. These events can also infuse a real morale boost into your team-building corporate retreats!
Specialty events designed for 10 or tens of thousands are our expertise and our passion - and no other fish in the sea can do what we do.
Select an event for details.
Siemens Game Show Gen Con Puzzle Hunt Thingo!
Uncharted Live EdgeLink LinkUp Guardian 6
Microsoft Picnic GuildWars Live Tatooine Parlor
Siemens Game Show
Our game shows entertain employees and customers, as at this retreat for Siemens at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Employees answered corporate trivia questions using handheld input devices, and played for chips usable at the Bellagio’s gaming tables.
Gen Con Puzzle Hunt
Lone Shark’s puzzle hunts range from simple trivia games on placards to much more complex challenges. Here in Indianapolis, solvers use their noses to tackle a perfume-based puzzle. (Note the walkie-talkie. Some puzzlers come prepared to win.)
Thingo!
One of our best original game shows is Thingo!, or bingo with things. Here, Microsoft employees huddle around bingo cards with categories like “Something pointy.” Our model demonstrates the proper use of a blowgun, which is most definitely pointy.
Uncharted Live
Sometimes a company wants an unmistakable visual impression for its product. At PAX in Seattle, Sony asked us to create a launch event for its Playstation 3 game Uncharted, complete with a clue-laden climbing wall, a giant puzzle box, and a machine gun nest.
EdgeLink LinkUp
Lone Shark’s LinkUp makes strangers into friends. At this gathering for the Portland firm EdgeLink Technology Recruiters, each attendee got a badge with a phrase, and tried to link to others. Here, “Victoria” and “Freddie Mercury” have in common the word QUEEN.
Guardian 6
When Lone Shark does a full-immersion event, players actually become their characters, as Gen Con’s Guardian 6 events. Taking on the roles of spies, players piloted video-camera cars, got kidnapped by ninjas, and fired high-power lasers.
Microsoft Picnic
As corporate events go, there are few larger than the Microsoft Picnic, where 40,000 employees and guests come out to play. Here, our raygun shrank attendees to six inches tall, and we let them loose among giant flowers, bird’s nests, and wishing wells.
GuildWars Live
ArenaNet asked Lone Shark to immerse players in the world of the popular fantasy game GuildWars. So we spread stations all over the PAX convention, where players could solve magical sudokus, enter a temple, and use Nerf crossbows to take out targets.
Tatooine Parlor
At Star Wars Celebration in Los Angeles, Lone Shark recreated the planet of Tatooine for thousands of costumed Star Wars fans. Players shot womp rats, joined the Imperial Navy, and settled once and for all who shot first: Han or Greedo.
The Sharks
Lone Shark Games, Inc. is a collective, so we work with dozens of partners: game inventors, artists, graphic designers, marketers, event planners, event staff, and playtesters. In your interaction with Lone Shark, you may meet any of these fine folks, but you are most likely to meet these principals:
James Ernest, Founder
Mike Selinker, President
Teeuwynn Woodruff, Creative Director
James Ernest - James Ernest founded Cheapass Games in 1996. Through this company, James has published more than 100 original games including Origins Award winning titles Kill Doctor Lucky, Give Me The Brain, Button Men, and BRAWL. In 2003 he was awarded the Academy's first Vanguard Award for his groundbreaking design on the Diceland paper dice game. James has also done freelance game design for Wizards of the Coast, Microsoft, GAMES Magazine, and many others. He is a talented technical writer and graphic designer, with several Origins Awards for graphic design, including Button Men and BRAWL.
Mike Selinker - Mike Selinker makes puzzles for people who like games and games for people who like puzzles. As a game inventor and creative director for Wizards of the Coast starting in 1995, he crafted games based on new properties and licenses such as Harry Potter and Pokémon. Mike helped relaunch Dungeons & Dragons, Axis & Allies, and the Avalon Hill game line, and designed games such as Risk Godstorm, the Simpsons TCG, the Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game, and the word game AlphaBlitz. His puzzles and puzzle articles appear regularly in GAMES Magazine, the New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune.
Teeuwynn Woodruff - Teeuwynn is an award-winning game designer, puzzle creator, rules writer, and events designer/manager. She has written dozens of roleplaying game products, and worked on the most popular collectible games, including Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Duelmasters. In addition to her work in the hobby and puzzle arena, Teeuwynn has designed alternate reality games, casual online games, and collectible games for tween girls and young children.
Testimonials
According to our clients, Lone Shark Games is
… “dedicated” (Sony) … “an absolute joy” (MindWare)
… “the first team I contact” (Gen Con) … “talented” (Fred Distribution)
… “great to work with” (Wild Planet) … a “go-to team” (GAMA)
… “creative” (Paizo) … “outstanding” (Levy & Associates)
… “valuable” (Nelvana) … “incredibly fun” (Hidden City)
… “innovative” (AMP) … “genuine geeks” (Penny Arcade)
… and “second to none!” (Duncan Toys)
Click on any quote to see the full testimonial!
I think dedicated doesn't even begin to describe the team here at Lone Shark. Working on the PAX experience for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was challenging on several different levels, and they were extremely professional, responsive, and creative throughout the entire process. Nothing stopped them from making this such a fantastic event. We couldn't have possibly made it the experience it was without their help!
Cristian Cardona, Product Marketing Specialist
Sony Computer Entertainment America www.us.playstation.com
Working with the team at Lone Shark Games has been an absolute joy! I've never come across game inventors who are so involved and dedicated to making sure the finished product is exactly as they had envisioned, with the best possible content and quality. We are thrilled with our newest game from Lone Shark and have high expectations for a successful and enduring run with the product. We can't wait to see what Lone Shark has in store for us next!
Dawn Davern, Product Development Manager
MindWare www.mindwareonline.com
The Puzzle Hunt is a staple event at Gen Con. Each year, the Sharks bring to Gen Con an event that is challenging, mind-wrenching and entertaining. It is not enough to rave about the quality of the puzzles – if it wasn’t for the event and the people it draws, I’d suspect the convention’s collective IQ would drop at least 20 points! Let it be said that when it comes to creating events that are clever, challenging, fun and interactive, Lone Shark Games is the first team I contact.
Rennie Araucto, Director of Event Programming
Gen Con LLC www.gencon.com
Two traits that all too rarely appear together are talent and the stamina to apply that talent to achieve excellence. I have seen both of these traits exhibited from the Lone Shark team: working late to test a design iteration or digging into a rulebook to ensure a good customer experience. I have benefited professionally from my time spent with them, and am very pleased and excited about our current project with them. I look forward to many more in the future.
Keith Blume, Managing Director
FRED Distribution, Inc. www.freddistribution.com
It was great to work with Lone Shark on gameplay development. They were quick to find solutions to challenges that we encountered and very responsive to our feedback. The Lone Shark team shared our passion for the product and developed some great gameplay. Their speed and innovation on our project really exemplified their talent and experience in the gaming world. We’re eager to work with the team again in the near future.
Jenny Brennan, Marketing Manager
Bob Brattesani, Production Development Manager
Wild Planet Entertainment www.wildplanet.com
For years, Lone Shark has been GAMA’s go-to team for developing and running convention-wide trivia games at the Origins Game Fair, our flagship consumer event. Lone Shark has added great value to the event and exceeding expectations with each project. We’re happy and lucky to work with them.
Anthony J. Gallela, Executive Director
Game Manufacturers Association www.gama.org
I can't recommend the folks at Lone Shark Games highly enough. Mike Selinker has been a big part of the successful launch of Titanic Games for Paizo Publishing. His contacts and creative spirit have helped us release games that will stand the test of time. The work he and Teeuwynn did for our Harrow deck is also outstanding! Just don't give Lone Shark too much work, or Mike won't have any time to continue to dedicate to us for Titanic Games!*
Lisa Stevens, CEO
Paizo Publishing LLC http://paizo.com
* Our clients’ testimonials may not represent the opinions of Lone Shark Games, Inc. Please give us lots of work.
I have been creating and licensing mass market games for 30 years. But when we wanted to add a collectible card element and an intricate storyline to a portable, non-traditional skill game we had developed, I turned to the team at Lone Shark. In doing so, we hit the mother lode. Our experience with Lone Shark has been outstanding. In addition to their skill sets, they are consummate pros to whom the elves still whisper.
Richard C. Levy, Inventor and Author
Richard C. Levy & Associates www.greatideagear.com/toybook
Lone Shark was brought in at the early stages of Nelvana's animation production to provide input on future product opportunities within the animation. Their input was valuable, and used as a bridge between the animation and the final toy production. We look forward to our next project with the team!
Mark Northwood, Vice President of North American Licensing
Nelvana Ltd. www.nelvana.com
I have worked with Lone Shark Games for many years and I keep going back for more. The luminaries there encapsulate an exciting blend of expertise and deep experience in game design, game development, puzzle-building, and live events. They are also an incredibly fun group to work with and deliver professional results, every time.
Peter D. Adkison, CEO
Hidden City Games Inc. www.hiddencitygames.com
Lone Shark Games has been successful in collaborating on the development of a number of events, with attendees ranging from hundreds to thousands, as our “interactive game solution” provider. Lone Shark provided our firm with innovative solutions for our client’s needs and continues to be our go-to partner for fun.
Kevin Temp, Vice President of Meetings and Events
Andy Mirkovich Productions www.mirkprod.com
I’m a big fan of Lone Shark because not only are they creators of fun, accessible content, they’re also a bunch of genuine geeks. The multiclass combo of lifelong gamer/entertainment producer results in a team capable of producing and managing customized, compelling activities that achieve the client’s goals. They did an outstanding job at PAX in creating a perilous treasure hunt, and I look forward to working with them again.
Mike Fehlauer, Director of Sales
Penny Arcade, Inc. www.penny-arcade.com
Having been preserved and promoted in the mass and toy markets for nearly 80 years, Duncan Toys needed some professional and experienced help in developing our first real game. Lone Shark has not only provided us with invaluable insight, but has developed direction and game play that is second to none. I appreciate their patience, and persistence, throughout the entire process.
Mike Burke, National Sales and Marketing Manager
Duncan Toys www.yo-yo.com
Contact
If you’re in need of any of the design or consultation services Lone Shark has to offer, drop a line to Mike at his email address below.
Mike Selinker: address
Teeuwynn Woodruff: address
James Ernest: address
Address:
24323 NE 10th St.
Sammamish, WA 98074
website by: CMNMD
© 2008 Lone Shark Games, Inc. All images are copyrights of their respective copyright holders.